This Lent, Catholic Charities of New York launched a new initiative rooted in faith, compassion, and action: 40 Cans for 40 Days. In its first year, the effort invited parishioners and supporters across the Archdiocese of New York to mark each day of Lent by helping feed neighbors in need.
Through donations of non-perishable food items at parishes, as well as through Catholic Charities of New York’s Amazon wishlist, the initiative transformed a season of reflection into a shared act of service.
A Community Responds in Faith
On March 22, parishioners at Saint Peter’s/Our Lady of Victory in Lower Manhattan brought the spirit of the initiative to life during Sunday Mass. Families arrived carrying cans of beans, lentils, corn, tuna, and other essentials — simple offerings that would go on to make a meaningful difference.
“One of the ways we come alive during Lent is by reaching out to others,” said Father Jarlath Quinn during his homily. “It’s an opportunity for us to open our eyes to the needs of others and to respond in the loving way that Jesus responded.”
As the hymn ‘Table of Plenty’ filled the church, dozens of children processed forward, placing their donations one by one at the altar. What began as a symbolic gesture quickly became a powerful visual — an overflowing table reflecting the generosity of the community.
“You have embodied the call of Jesus,” said Thomas Dobbins, Deputy Director of Department of Public and Community Engagement at Catholic Charities of New York. “One of the most fundamental Corporal Works of Mercy is feeding the hungry.”
Meeting a Growing Need
The launch of 40 Cans for 40 Days comes at a time of heightened need across New York.
Rising grocery prices, high housing costs, and disruptions in public benefits have left many families struggling to make ends meet. Two-thirds of New Yorkers report having to choose between buying enough nutritious food and paying for essential household expenses like rent or utilities.
Catholic Charities of New York continues to respond at scale — providing more than 10 million meals last year alone and expanding mobile pop-up food pantries that bring food directly into communities facing barriers such as limited transportation, food deserts, or high numbers of homebound neighbors.
This work is strengthened through partnerships with organizations like Goya Foods. Through Goya Gives, Goya has pledged 300,000 pounds of food to Catholic Charities of New York— part of a broader commitment that has already delivered more than 1.8 million pounds of food to support neighbors in need. Together, these efforts help ensure that more families across the Archdiocese of New Yrok have access to nutritious, reliable meals.
Building a Tradition of Service
In its inaugural year, 40 Cans for 40 Days engaged 12 parishes and countless individuals, demonstrating how a simple act — one can at a time —c an grow into a meaningful expression of faith in action.
“Jesus is saying to us, ‘Come forth! Come out! Get alive!’” Father Quinn preached. “That’s why we, as the Church, have made such a big deal of the 40 Cans in 40 Days.”
As this first year concludes, the initiative stands as a strong foundation for the future — one that Catholic Charities of New York looks forward to building on in the years ahead.
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